Food-producing deficit is persisting in Algeria : about 60%. The drought of 1997, during the period of vegetation, seriously affected grain crops. In 1997, the total grain production registered its lowest level for 20 years, amounting to 1.08 million tons against a record of 4.6 million tons in 1996 and 3.03 million tons in 1998. The drought burned 65% of the 3.5 million hectares cultivated in 1997. In 2000, the production of wheat was 800 000 tons and corresponds to a drop of a 14% compared to the results of 1999. The production of barley should be around 400,000 tons against 410,204 million tons in 1999.